When eighteen year old waitress Journey Tenkleson notices a pair of turquoise eyes in the bar where she works, for once she doesn't understand her feelings. She searches tirelessly for the man she saw, but every road seems to lead to a dead end. But...
"What?" Togi Vuk exclaimed, then spat out a bunch of R-rated cuss words.
"He was found dead in his bathtub by the officer who was sent out there a little piece ago."
"How?" Raegan asked.
"He appeared to have drowned himself. After we get an autopsy on the body, we'll know for certain how long he's been dead. But there was an empty whiskey bottle on the floor next to him, so." The officer paused. "Who closed this place last night?"
Nadja raised her hand. "It was me and Denice."
"Is she here?"
"No, she told me as we were closing that she had a horrible headache and if it didn't get better in the morning, she'd switch shifts."
"How do--well, I guess it'd would be better if we didn't have an audience. How about we go to the office?" The officer suggested. "Oh, and by the way, I'm Kaelan Montgomery, and this is Reuben and Fortinbras.
Nadja shuddered, but led him to the back.
"So," The officer surveyed the messy room, then gestured for her the take a seat. "How do you know Denice?"
"We share an apartment with one other girl." Nadja answered.
"Did you go straight to your apartment after leaving here?" Kaelan asked.
Nadja was about to nod, but then said, "My car was on empty, so I stopped at a gas station, then went home."
"Was Denice already there?"
Nadja nodded. "She was getting ready for bed in her room.
"Can you write down the address?" Nadja scribbled down her address and apartment number, then Kaelan dismissed her, but added, "Please ask the girl who called to come here."
Nadja retrieved Raegan, then went to the dining area.
"So, you're the one who called?" Kaelan asked, and Raegan nodded.
He coughed and said, "You didn't know where he was?"
Raegan shook her head vigorously. "I mean, we all assumed he was at home, but we didn't know why he wasn't here."
Kaelan nodded slowly. "I heard that yesterday his youngest son stopped by and there was some tension. Can you tell me about it?"
"No, I wasn't really around. Journey would know more than me though."
"Okay, send him in." Kaelan replied.
Raegan snorted, then strode out. Kaelan flushed slightly when Journey, a girl, came in.
"Alrighty, Miss--" Kaelan paused.
"Tenkleson." Journey answered.
"Miss Tenkleson. Okay. What can you tell me about Mr. Jobe's son's visit yesterday?"
"I came in and started working, then I noticed him." Journey started.
"I'm sorry, who?" Kaelan interrupted.
"Sam's son. He--he never got to tell me his name." Journey explained. She waited until Kaelan nodded, then continued, "After a few minutes, I heard shouting coming from in here, the he came out and said something about his mom telling him not to come or something like that, then he went out and Sam went back in here. After that, I went out back and talked to him for a minute, then my friend Rynn took me back inside because Sam was about to come out."
Kaelan nodded again, then told her to call Rynn in.
All the rest of the interviews went similarly, except for Justin's. He told Kaelan that he had been late getting into work that morning, so he didn't hear anything, except bits and pieces of conversations between co-workers.
The bar was closed soon after by the police officers, then they told all of the workers to go home.
Journey walked outside in a daze. She had been there for six hours, but it didn't feel like that long. She was about to get in her car when Justin called from behind her,
"Journey! Wait up."
Journey paused, then turned to Justin. "What?"
"Can--I hang out at your place for a while? My dad will still be at home."
Journey was puzzled, but nodded slowly. "I guess. My mom will still be working, but Adali will be there."
Justin nodded.
"Um, you wanna ride with me?" She asked after a moment of awkward silence.
Justin shrugged. "Sure." He climbed into the passenger seat of the black jeep.
When they got to her house, Journey got out and knocked on the door, then waited for Adali to answer it. It swung open and Adali stood in front of them, her hair was in a sloppy bun that was quickly tumbling down, and she had yet to get out of her pajamas, which were a light grey crop top and black fitted running shorts. She made a surprised squeak and Journey immediately threw a hand over Justin's eyes, attempting to save her younger sister from embarrassment.
Adali ran back to her room and Journey dropped her hand.
"Ah shoot." Journey muttered, hugging herself. Justin stood awkwardly next to her for a minute, then, with a start Journey led him inside.
After a minute, Adali came back out, looking much more presentable.
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she has light brown hair, but whatever^
"Um, This is Justin, Adali." Journey said.
Adali smiled sheepishly and held out her hand. Justin shook it roughly and Adali grimaced because of how tight he had been holding it.
Journey started to feel the sparks between her sister and her friend. Most people wouldn't have realized it, but Journey and Justin were silent best friends.
"What do y'all want to do?" Journey asked.
Adali shrugged. "I can make something for us to eat."
"Sure." Journey replied. She led Justin to the small living room. All of the photos in it were only of her mom, herself, and Adali.
"What--what happened to your dad?" Justin asked, then he ducked his head. "Sorry, that's rude."
Journey shook her head. "Nah, I don't get to talk about it nearly enough." She paused. "He left us when I was three and Adali was one. We've been on our own since then." She shrugged. "I barely remember him."
Justin watched a tear slide down her face. He brushed it away and pulled her into a strong hug. For a moment Journey was caught off guard, then she let herself go.
